Named after a lost kingdom
Loulan takes its name from the ancient Silk Road kingdom buried in the sands of the Tarim. The estate is in the Turpan-Hami Basin, an arid, hot sub-region with less than 20 mm of rain a year, watered by the ancient karez (qanat) system of underground channels. Turpan is also China’s main source of raisins and known for characterful sweet wines.
One of the region’s names
Li Demei lists Loulan, with Puchang Vineyard, as the producers to know in Turpan, and the brand has long been one of Xinjiang’s best known. The winery positions itself as a boutique estate; its Gubao (castle) series, Loulan Grand Castle, Petit Castle, Loulan Bao and Shigui, is its best-known range.